Chapter 493

"Now look what you've done!" Genevieve glared at Gregory with fiery intensity before swiftly ascending the stairs.

Cassandra followed Adrienne back to the room. She studied Adrienne's silent, shell-shocked expression and desperately wanted to comfort her, but words failed her. Instead, Cassandra lingered behind Adrienne, hoping her mere presence might offer some solace.

To her surprise, Adrienne turned and offered a strained smile—one that didn't reach her eyes. "Sorry you had to witness that," she murmured.

"Don't apologize!" Cassandra stepped forward and pulled Adrienne into a tight embrace, struck by the realization that her friend's situation was far more heartbreaking than her own. While Cassandra struggled with unrequited feelings, Adrienne was trapped between warring parents.

Gregory Prescott had a mistress and an illegitimate son. Worse, he was unapologetically patriarchal, determined to hand the family empire to his bastard son rather than share it with his own daughter—simply because she was a woman.

Gregory opened his mouth to continue the argument, but Genevieve had already disappeared upstairs. She knocked lightly on Adrienne's door, greeting them politely before stepping inside. The sight of Cassandra gave her pause—clearly, she hadn't expected company—but she recovered quickly with a gracious nod.

"Oh, hello, Cassandra."

"Good evening, Ms. Sinclair," Cassandra replied respectfully.

Genevieve acknowledged her before turning to Adrienne. She studied her daughter for a long moment before speaking. "Sweetheart, why don’t you go out with Cassandra?"

That hadn’t been her original intention upon entering, but seeing Cassandra had shifted her approach.

"It's freezing outside," Adrienne muttered, staring at the floor.

"True, winter’s settling in. Your father and I have been swamped with company matters, so we haven’t had time to take you shopping." Genevieve sighed, then pulled a sleek black card from her pocket and pressed it into Adrienne’s hand. "Since Cassandra’s here, why not pick out some new sweaters? And do let me know if there’s anything noteworthy in the boutiques—I haven’t had the chance to browse lately."

She spoke with practiced ease, as if their earlier argument had never happened.

Cassandra marveled at Genevieve’s composure. No wonder she manages the Prescott family’s affairs so effortlessly.

"I’ll grab some things for Dad too. He never updates his wardrobe."

Cassandra blinked in surprise. She’d expected tears, anger—anything but this eerie calm. Adrienne wasn’t just composed; she was thinking of her father.

Genevieve’s smile softened. "That’s a lovely idea. Get two extra scarves while you’re at it. And if the card runs low, just bill your father."

Adrienne smirked. "In that case, I might need to splurge."

"Go ahead." Genevieve gave her daughter’s shoulder an affectionate pat.

After gathering their coats, Cassandra trailed Adrienne downstairs. Gregory sat in the parlor, a cigarette dangling from his fingers. Adrienne bounded over and looped her arms around his neck.

"Dad, I’m buying you new clothes and scarves today. You’re reimbursing me if your card declines!"

Gregory chuckled, exhaling a plume of smoke. "Of course, darling. I’ll cover every cent."